Page 16

Chapter Six

Breanna pulled overand stared at the map. “I know the bar’s around here. Why the hell can’t I find it?” She glanced at the clock on the dashboard, realizing that if she didn’t find the place soon, she’d be late for her interview with the owner of the bar. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back.I know that all I’m doing is enabling Nicholas, but I can’t turn him away.She’d always had a soft spot for him, and she knew he used that to hit her up for money or crash at her place when he found himself evicted. She sighed, opened her eyes, stared at the map for the last time, and then pulled away from the curb.

By the time she found Cuervos, she was ten minutes late. She reapplied her burnt sienna lip gloss, ran her fingers through her hair, and hurried to the front door of the establishment. On a corner lot, the outside of the bar was a nondescript tan stucco building with a bright green awning over the windows. Neon signs advertising different brands of beer lit up the windows and the thick glass door. She pulled open the door and stepped in, momentarily blinded by the dim lights. Looking around, she saw several men and a couple of women sitting at a beautifully crafted wood bar drinking. On the wall behind the bar were shelves of bottles, as well as a large moving picture of the mountains and a clear lake that seemed to mesmerize the patrons. Booths lined the walls on three sides, wooden tables and chairs filling in the middle. Classic rock tunes played out of a brightly colored jukebox, and she noticed a couple of pool tables and a dartboard. The place had a good feel to it. It wasn’t a dive, just a neighborhood bar where people could come in for a drink and a bit of food.

The tangy scent of buffalo wing sauce curled around the place. She walked up to the bar and coughed in hopes of garnering the bartender’s attention. He turned around, a man in his early thirties with dark eyes, looking her over. “What can I do for you?” he asked as he swiped his rag over the top of the bar.

“I’m looking for Jorge Mendez. I have an interview with him.”

“That’s me. Are you Breanna Quine?” She nodded. “You’re ten minutes late.” He put his rag away.

“I know. Not a great start to an interview, is it? I left in plenty of time, but I got hopelessly lost. I didn’t see the small street where I was supposed to turn. I can’t believe I couldn’t find it.”

“It can be tricky. The bar’s on one of those quirky streets that’s only a few blocks long. Let’s go in the back.” He called over a guy who was opening boxes and stocking the shelves to take over at the bar. Breanna followed him down a long hallway and into a room. “Have a seat,” he said. “You said you’ve tended bar and waitressed before, right?”

“Yes, I’ve done both on and off for a little over six years. I’m applying for the part-time position—weekends only. I work during the week, so I can only do Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday during the day if needed.”

For the next twenty minutes, he asked her several questions about her bartending and waitressing skills. He questioned her on the ingredients for a slew of drinks, and she got them right each time. He told her the bar had fifteen beer taps, and it served basic food like buffalo wings, nachos, sandwiches, and pizza. Jorge pushed his chair back. “You got the waitressing job if you want it. Sometime you may have to bartend if Cory is a no show. Friday and Saturday nights the place is packed. I tend bar, but one bartender isn’t enough. Cory has some drama with a girlfriend, so he’s not always reliable.”

“That’s cool. I can handle being behind the bar.”

“There’s a good mix of people that come here. We get guys just off work from the bank next door stopping in for a few beers drinking next to rough guys covered in tattoos. Everyone gets along, for the most part.” He paused and ran his gaze over her again. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a very pretty woman, and you’re gonna have men leering at you, saying things, and flirting with you. You’re gonna have to know how to handle it.”

She cocked her head and caught his gaze. “I’m okay with a few smart comments and stares, but if someone touches me, I’ll deck them.” She smiled sweetly.

He laughed. “You won’t have to do that. I’ll beat you to the punch. I had a gal in here who was a nervous wreck any time a guy winked at her. She was in tears after her shifts. Obviously, it didn’t work out. Good to hear you’ve got some gumption.”

“Do the people tip well, for the most part?”

“To be honest, if you show some cleavage and flirt just a bit, you’ll do real well. You’ve got a pretty face and shape. You shouldn’t have any problem. Tips are where the money’s at.” He stood up. “If you want the job, you can start this Friday.”

She rose to her feet and extended her hand. “I’ll see you on Friday, Mr. Mendez.”

He shook her hand. “Call me Jorge.”

“Is there anything special I should wear?”

“Black mini skirt, heels are good, and a sexy shirt, but nothing over-the-top.”

She nodded. “I’ll be here at seven o’clock on Friday.”

As she drove home, she kept trying to figure out a way that she could live on what she made, but she couldn’t.It won’t be so bad. I’ll do it until I can pay off or make a dent in my debt.She had just finished paying off her student loan, but two of her credit cards were maxed from when she paid for Nicholas’s rehab the previous year, and when the county cut everyone’s hours for nine months.

She pulled into the garage and went inside. In her bedroom, she slid open her closet doors and pushed through the hangers, pulling out a spandex mini skirt she sometimes wore when she went out clubbing with her friends.

When she’d spotted a red halter corset with a front of overlay black lace in a catalog, she’d ordered it, but when it arrived and she’d tried it on, it was too revealing. It wasn’t really her style, and she’d planned on returning it but never got around to it. She held it up against her and looked in the mirror. The low-cut neckline would definitely help bring in the bigger tips.

She threw it on the bed, then went back to her closet and scrounged around for her three-and-a-half-inch black heels. Just looking at the way the shoe curved made her feet hurt.I have no clue how I’m supposed to stand and walk in these for eight hours. It’ll be torture.

She dropped the shoes and padded over to her small desk, sat down, and opened her laptop. Checking her bank account, she saw she was nearing the overdrawn mark. She sighed and glanced at the top strewn on her bed.It’s only going to be for a short time. I can do this.She stood and hung up her outfit.At least I won’t be as stressed about paying the bills as I am now, and I can save to pay for Nicholas to get into rehab.

She glanced at her clock radio and realized that she’d promised Chenoa she’d pop by and visit her. Scooping up her keys from her dresser, she headed out of her house.

“When am Igetting outta here? I’m fuckin’ climbing the walls,” Chenoa said as Breanna filled the girl’s water pitcher.

“Detox is always a bitch. In a while, you’ll feel so much better.” She placed the pitcher on the table near the bed and looked into Chenoa’s dark eyes. “Remember how shitty you’re feeling. Don’t forget it. Memorize it. Own it. It’s important because you don’t want to go through this again. When you get out and you feel the pull of the drug, remember this moment.”